As a rule, I don't look at a profile, if it doesn't have a validation video.  In my mind, this confirms that I'm not viewing a bot profile.  Or, at least not a lazy bot profile.  So on the SD search page, they display 'Verified' and a little video camera icon on the profile tiles, which is supposed to indicate the profiles that have attached videos.  If the profile seems promising to me, and I see a video camera icon, I'll open the full profile and check it out.

Imagine if the product team at Apple designed sugar dating sites...

Thanks, as always, Herb.  But, I think I am not as generous as you.  I think the site designers consider this a 'feature', not a 'bug'.  

Got booted from SA years ago. We don't pay to see verification videos. There should be a HOF for ladies who don't look like the same lady as their profile Pic

Which one is SD?

I think we're talking about Secret Benefits and maybe some related site.
It is correct that most of the profiles that say 'verified' have a video attached where the girl is supposed to say 'Let me be your secret.' And I've heard that some gals are aware that these are public.
But sometimes the video disappears, and I'm not sure why. My guess is that once you're verified you can delete the video but remain verfied. Or possibly you can move it into your private section. If they are available they can be quite useful, as brownjack points out.

D is for ... well, I suspect that you have figured that out already Laddy.

I am also on SB and find the videos invaluable. I have become shocked at the terrible looks that the POTS have on their video, like they just woke up, or are having a horrid day, or just bored. There are many that didn't even bother to do up their hair a bit. I'm not expecting that they just went to the hairdressers, but regardless their hair is often a mess. So the videos turn out to be a wonderful way for me to eliminate what otherwise, based on their profile and pics, would be an eligible POT.

I actually take points off for failing to make some sort of effort in appearance when recording a video.  I get that many of these ladies might be in bed for the night when they are scrolling profiles.  But, then wait until you've made some effort before recording your video.